You can only survive for three days without water. Having a supply of water after a disaster is vital for survival. For many disaster scenarios, sheltering at home is the safer option. Therefore, having an adequate amount of bottled water stored at home will help you survive. For long term survival, I would recommend being able to collect and purify water. No matter how much you have, bottled water will eventually run out. A supply of bottled water is, however, important for providing an instant water supply when needed. It is also important to know how to store bottled water correctly. Correct storage will ensure that the water lasts as long as possible and is safe to drink.
What To Consider When Buying Water
When buying bottled water, one of the main considerations is how much water you will need. The average person needs at least 1.5 litres of water per day. This is the minimum amount of drinking water, and will increase when active or during hot weather. This quantity also does not account for any cleaning or hygiene uses. Your planning for various disaster scenarios should determine how long you will need to survive using bottled water. Multiply the number of days by 1.5 litres to give the absolute minimum litres of water you will need for your plan. If you are able to store more than this minimum amount, then do so. You can never have too much clean drinking water in a survival situation.
Storage of the water you buy is another important consideration. Make sure that you have somewhere suitable to store the water and don’t buy more than you can store. Water should be stored unopened in the bottles that it comes in. If you open the water and move it in to other containers, there is potential for bacteria to get in to the water, which will grow during storage.
Water is usually easier to store in large bottles, such as the 15 litre bottles used for water coolers. This pack of large water bottles is a great start to a stock of bottled water, and will provide enough for several days for a family. The bottles are designed to fit a water cooler, but can just be used as normal bottles. To make it even easier, get a hand pump that fits to the top.
Is It Safe To Drink Bottled Water After Its Best Before Date?
Water does not expire, but bottles of water still have a best before date printed on them. This date is usually 2 years after bottling. Bottled water has a best before date because over time the plastic bottle itself can begin to degrade. This might allow small amounts of chemicals from the plastic bottle to leach in to the water, affecting its taste. Bottled water is still safe to drink after its best before date, but the taste may be slightly different. Rather than buying a large quantity of water in one go, buy some each month and when a bottle is getting close to its best before end date, use is and replace with a new one. Storing bottled water correctly will also help to delay the degradation of the plastic for as long as possible.
How To Store Bottled Water
Bottled water should be stored in a cool, dry and dark place. Sunlight or heat increase the speed at which the plastic degrades, potentially causing the plastic to leach into the water. Storing in a cool and dark place increases the longevity of the plastic bottles, meaning the water will taste better.
Water bottles can be stacked, but don’t stack so high that the bottles at the bottom are damaged. Damage to the bottles may cause a split in the plastic, allowing bacteria in, or water to leak out. The last thing you want to find in a disaster scenario is empty water bottles!
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